PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

ON
DIODE AND ITS APPLICATIONS

FOR AISSCE 2023-24 EXAMINATION

[ AS A PART OF THE PHYSICS COURSE (042)]

STUDENT NAME: SHRI RANJANE K

REG.NO:................
CLASS: XII-S1
2023-24
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___________________________________________ of class XII as per the requirements for the CBSE
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Diode and its
Applications
INDEX
 What is a Diode?

 Diode symbol

 Diode construction

 Types of diodes and their applications

 LED

 P-N junction diode

 Zener diode

 Photo diode

 Schottky diode

 Reference links
  What Is a Diode?

Diodes are used to protect circuits by limiting the voltage and to also transform AC

into DC. Semiconductors like silicon and germanium are used to make the most of the

diodes. Even though they transmit current in a single direction, the way with which

they transmit differs. There are different kinds of diodes and each type has its own

applications.

Diode Symbol

A standard diode symbol is represented as above. In the above diagram, we can see

that there are two terminals that are known as anode and cathode. The arrowhead is

the anode that represents the direction of the conventional current flow in the forward

biased condition. The other end is the cathode.

  Diode Construction

Diodes can be made of either of the two semiconductor materials, silicon and
germanium. When the anode voltage is more positive than the cathode voltage, the
diode is said to be forward-biased, and it conducts readily with a relatively low-
voltage drop. Likewise, when the cathode voltage is more positive than the anode, the
diode is said to be reverse-biased. The arrow in the diode symbol represents the
direction of conventional current flow when the diode conducts.

 How do diodes work?

Before knowing the uses of diodes, we should know that an ideal diode is enclosed in
a plastic or glass case to mark the cathode side of it. There are two ways a diode
functions, either it is a forward-biased or it is reverse-biased.

FORWARD-BIASED REVERSE-BIASED

Current flows from anode to cathode. Current flows from cathode to anode
  Types of Semiconductor Diode

There are different types of semiconductor diodes that are used widely in our daily
life some of which are,

 LED
 P-N Junction Diode
 Zener Diode
 Photodiode
  Schottky Diode

 Light Emitting Diode (LED)

When an electric current between the electrodes passes through this diode, light is
produced. In other words, light is generated when a sufficient amount of forwarding
current passes through it. In many diodes, this light generated is not visible as there are
frequency levels that do not allow visibility. LEDs are available in different colours.
There are tricolour LEDs that can emit three colours at a time. Light colour depends
on the energy gap of the semiconductor used.

 LED Symbol
The LED symbol is the standard symbol for a diode, with the addition of two small
arrows denoting the emission of light.

Simple LED Circuit

The figure below shows a simple LED circuit.

The circuit consists of an LED, a voltage supply and a resistor to regulate the current
and voltage.

 How does an LED work?

When the diode is forward biased, the minority electrons are sent from p → n while
the minority holes are sent from n → p. At the junction boundary, the concentration of
minority carriers increases. The excess minority carriers at the junction recombine
with the majority charges carriers.

The energy is released in the form of photons on recombination. In standard diodes,

the energy is released in the form of heat. But in light-emitting diodes, the energy is
released in the form of photons. We call this phenomenon electroluminescence.
Electroluminescence is an optical phenomenon, and electrical phenomenon where a
material emits light in response to an electric current passed through it. As the forward
voltage increases, the intensity of the light increases and reaches a maximum.

 Applications and uses of LEDs

 LEDs used for TV Backlighting

A TV’s backlight is the major power-consuming source. Uses of LEDs can give an
efficient power reduction. on the edges of the TV, using an LED will be a cost
reduction choice. Using LEDs directly behind the display provides better contrast.
When it comes to TV backlighting, LEDs have taken the place of CFLs and LCDs.

 It is used for Smartphone Backlighting

The backlight design of the smartphone may be slimmer and less expensive thanks to
the usage of LED. The price of LEDs may vary according to the size of the
smartphone display. They provide greater battery life due to the lower output voltage.
  Uses of LED in Displays

LED display boards are common these days and are used outdoors like storage signs,
billboards, road signs, etc. In sign boards, which have multiple languages conveying
signals, the use of more LEDs will be beneficial in terms of less power consumption.

 These are used in Automotives

The Use of LEDs in the automotive industry is growing. With LEDs, energy is saved
and there is clearer visibility. These are extensively used in the back and rear of an
automobile for better accessibility. LED lighting can improve the safety of pedestrians
and drivers as it enhances visibility when it is ON, OFF, and dimmed in any part of the
journey.

 LEDs used in Dimming of Lights

Few LED applications include dimming of lights which helps in reducing energy
consumption.

This dimming feature is also used in Appliances where it is of two types.

Global Dimming where all LEDs are dimmed together.

Local Dimming where LEDs are dimmed independently.

 Zener Diode

It is the most useful type of diode as it can provide a stable reference voltage. These
are operated in reverse bias and break down on the arrival of a certain voltage. If
current passing through the resistor is limited, a stable voltage is generated. Zener
diodes are widely used in power supplies to provide a reference voltage.

Circuit Symbol of Zener Diode

V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode

The diagram given below shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode.

 Application of Zener Diode

 Zener diode as a voltage regulator

The zener diode is used as a Shunt voltage regulator for regulating voltage across
small loads. The Zener diode is connected parallel to the load to make it reverse bias,
and once the Zener diode exceeds knee voltage, the voltage across the load will
become constant. The breakdown voltage of Zener diodes will be constant for a wide
range of currents.

 Zener diode in over-voltage protection

When the input voltage is higher than the Zener breakage voltage, the voltage across
the resistor drops resulting in a short circuit, this can be avoided by using the Zener
diode.

 Zener diode in clipping circuits

Zener diode is used for modifying AC waveform clipping circuits by limiting the parts
of either one or both the half cycles of an AC waveform.

 Schottky Diode

It has a lower forward voltage than other silicon PN junction diodes. The drop will be
seen where there is low current and at that stage, voltage ranges between 0.15 and 0.4
volts. These are constructed differently in order to obtain that performance. Schottky
diodes are highly used in rectifier applications.
  Applications of Schottky Diode

Schottky diodes have been useful for the industry of electronics that has spotted many
applications in diode rectifiers because of its unique properties. Here are some major
areas where it is widely used.

 RF mixer and detector diode

The Schottky diode consists of its radio frequency functions owing to its switching
speed at the highest level and top frequency capability. The Schottky barrier diodes
come handy for diode ring mixers with high performance.

 Power rectifier

The Schottky barrier diodes also have functions with high power as rectifiers. The
high density of current and voltage drop with low forward shows that the wastage of
power is lesser than the normal PN junction diodes.
  Power OR circuits

This diode would be useful for functions where two different power supplies drive a
load like in battery supply. It is important that the power coming from supply should
not mix with the others.

 Solar Cell Applications

As we know, the solar cells are usually linked to the batteries that are rechargeable,
mostly batteries with lead-acid since power supply must be necessary round the clock.
Solar cells would not support the applied charge in reverse and thus, a diode would be
used in a proportional pattern of the solar cells.

 Photodiode

A photo-diode can identify even a small amount of current flow resulting from the
light. These are very helpful in the detection of the light. This is a reverse bias diode
and used in solar cells and photometers. They are even used to generate electricity.

Symbol of Photodiode
The following image shows the symbol of the photodiode:

P-N Junction Diode

The P-N junction diode is also known as rectifier diodes. These diodes are used for the

rectification process and are made up of semiconductor material. The P-N junction

diode includes two layers of semiconductors. One layer of the semiconductor material

is doped with P-type material and the other layer with N-type material. The

combination of these both P and N-type layers form a junction known as the P-N

junction. Hence, the name P-N junction diode.

P-N junction diode allows the current to flow in the forward direction and blocks the

flow of current in the reverse direction.

FORWARD BIAS OF THE p-n JUNCTION

V-I Characteristics of P-N Junction Diode

 Applications of Photodiode
 Photodiodes are used in simple day-to-day applications. The reason for their

prominent use is their linear response of photodiode to light illumination.

 Photodiodes with the help of optocouplers provide electric isolation. When two

isolated circuits are illuminated by light, optocouplers are used to couple the

circuit optically. Optocouplers are faster compared to conventional devices.

 Photodiodes are used in safety electronics such as fire and smoke detectors.

 Photodiodes are used in numerous medical applications. They are used in

instruments that analyze samples, detectors for computed tomography and also

used in blood gas monitors.

 Photodiodes are used in solar cell panels.

 Photodiodes are used in logic circuits.

 Photodiodes are used in the detection circuits.

 Photodiodes are used in character recognition circuits.

 Photodiodes are used for the exact measurement of the intensity of light in

science and industry.

 Photodiodes are faster and more complex than normal PN junction diodes and

hence are frequently used for lighting regulation and optical communication.
CITATION

https://www.theengineeringknowledge.com/difference-between-forward-reverse-
biasing/

https://www.fluke.com/en-in/learn/blog/electrical/what-is-a-
diode#:~:text=A%20diode%20is%20a%20semiconductor,flowing%20in%20the%20o
pposite%20direction.

https://byjus.com/physics/zener-diode/

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/diode/